A diplomatic crisis has erupted with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over a shipment of dates with pits. The Agriculture Ministry recently banned the import of a-100-kilogram shipment of dates with pits from the UAE, insisting that only pitted dates are allowed, a move that has angered the country, which has been importing dates for their embassy since the Abraham Accords, according to the N12 news site.
After these accords were signed, the UAE began sending dates to Israel each month for use at the embassy and the ambassador’s residence, not for commercial purposes. The dates serve as a staple in Emirati hospitality at meetings and events.
“It’s their most basic hospitality item in every meeting – in every hosting,” the N12 report noted.
In recent weeks, the Agriculture Ministry decided to ban these data imports and return a specific shipment of 100 kilograms of dates, not allowing its entry into Israel.
This decision sparked significant outrage in the UAE, with officials contacting the Israeli Foreign Ministry to resolve the issue. However, the Agriculture Ministry remained firm, emphasizing that dates with pits pose a potential agricultural risk and can only be imported with the appropriate approvals.
In a letter sent by the ministry’s Dir.-Gen. to Emirati Ambassador Mohamed Al Khaja, he wrote, “Dates with pits cannot be imported to Israel, whereas pitted dates can be imported with appropriate approval.”
The Dir.-Gen. also acknowledged that dates with pits had been imported and asked that such an occurrence be avoided in the future.
The UAE’s Foreign Affairs Ministry expressed confusion and dismay, describing the ban as a deviation from diplomatic norms. “We do not understand what lies behind this insult against the UAE embassy and the deviation from diplomatic norms,” a source from the ministry told N12.
Despite these tensions, the UAE has made significant efforts over the past eight months to maintain strong relations with Israel. It is, in fact, expected to play a role in the reconstruction of Gaza at some point.
N12 suggested that “it seemed that someone in Israel thought that it was logical to jeopardize these relations over date pits. If this was not a sad situation, this could have been a funny one.”
Abraham Accords
Since the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020, cooperation between Israel and the UAE has increased. Bilateral trade reached approximately $1.2 billion within the first year, and both countries have collaborated on projects ranging from technology to water security.
Recent efforts included a landmark agreement to finance a solar plant in Jordan that will generate electricity for Israel and provide Jordan with desalinated water, showcasing the potential for regional cooperation bearing broader, global significance.
However, the relationship has faced challenges such as political disagreements and regional dynamics, including the UAE’s stance on Israeli settlements and unflattering comments about the UAE made by Israeli officials.
Despite these hurdles, economic and strategic ties continue to grow, with both nations aiming to expand their partnership across various sectors pertaining to defense, technology, and energy initiatives.